Shaking Hands for Ten Minutes Is a Custom

As the flames burned hotter, Entei's power steadily climbed.

Peak Master, early Champion, mid Champion, late Champion, peak Champion!

Now that was the power a Legendary Pokémon should possess!

Normally, Entei kept his strength in check. It wasn't because he was a coward; he had to hide it.

Whenever a Legendary Pokémon appeared, strange phenomena would arise between heaven and earth, revealing its location.

That was why Entei hadn't used his full strength at first.

He hadn't expected Greninja to be so strong. Being pushed back again and again had finally made him angry!

As Entei unleashed his full power, a pillar of fire shot straight into the clouds.

The entire sky looked stained by flames. Even the clouds turned red!

"Croak!"

[Holy crap, you can transform too?]

Seeing dark crimson flames engulf Entei as his power soared, Greninja cried out in surprise.

Extreme Speed!

Fire Fang!

In an instant, Entei lunged forward and sank his teeth into Greninja before he could dodge.

Then Entei, now at full power, calmly glanced at the struggling frog in his jaws and flung him away.

I'm done for!

I've caused trouble!

I promised Ho-Oh before I left that I wouldn't use my full power or let humans discover where I was.

I'm done for, I'm done for! This is bad. Really bad!

Entei hurriedly extinguished his flames and bounded out of Xu Mu's sight in a few leaps.

Soon, he was gone...

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing Greninja's check-in task: bring or use Greninja in a battle against Entei. Reward obtained: Heart of the Sea!]

[The next stage of check-in tasks is now available. Please check it yourself and keep up the good work!]

Xu Mu's face darkened ominously.

It wasn't because Greninja had been beaten by Entei that he was upset. It was because he felt that Damn System had set him up again!

"What did Entei come here for? Did you arrange this?"

"System, tell me, what's the point of staging all this yourself?"

"Why don't you just give me a task that makes me the world's strongest Trainer while I sit at home?"

"Then you can pull whatever scheme you want, and I'll just sit back and watch you show off. How about that?"

"What the hell was that? Entei shows up out of nowhere, and you think I'm too stupid to tell you arranged it?"

Xu Mu kept ranting, so furious his insides shook.

What the hell? One little disagreement, and you throw an Entei at me?

Do you have nothing better to do?

What's wrong with you?

[Ding! Please do not misunderstand the system, host. The system would never actively interfere with your life!]

The system couldn't take it anymore. The usual insult or two was one thing.

But this time it wasn't the system's fault! Why should it take the blame?

Whatever Entei had come for, he hadn't come looking for Xu Mu. What did that have to do with him?

Xu Mu's frog was the one who insisted on fighting Entei! How had the system set him up? Did he think the system wouldn't feel wronged when he cursed at it like that?

What bad intentions could the system possibly have? It just wanted him to grow stronger. Boo-hoo!

The system's message left Xu Mu stunned.

Bullshit!

You think I'd believe that?

Only an idiot would believe you didn't arrange for Entei to show up!

After grumbling to himself some more, Xu Mu finally looked at Greninja, who had returned to his side.

"You okay?"

He stepped forward to inspect Greninja's injuries. Once he saw that Entei hadn't actually bitten down hard on the frog, he relaxed.

"Croak!"

[I lost. Please punish me, Little Master!]

Greninja lowered his head and suddenly dropped to one knee, looking ready to beg forgiveness for his failure.

"Well, he's a Legendary Pokémon. Of course he's strong. You don't need to compare yourself to him."

Xu Mu thought Greninja was upset about losing the fight.

He smiled and reassured him. "Besides, you're already really strong. You don't have to keep trying to get stronger. There's no need."

Greninja was baffled by Xu Mu's words.

I don't have to get stronger?

How could that be?

How can I protect the Little Master if I don't get stronger?

Ah! I understand!

The Little Master is definitely encouraging me by saying the opposite of what he means, so I'll remember the lesson of this defeat!

"Croak!"

[Don't worry, Little Master. I'll definitely remember this lesson! Defeating Entei will be my first goal from now on! One day, I'll become a Pokémon who surpasses the gods!]

Xu Mu saw that his words hadn't dampened Greninja's fighting spirit at all. Instead, the frog's eyes blazed with determination as he clenched his fist and looked at him.

Xu Mu understood at once. Greninja hadn't listened to a word he'd said.

Or he'd gotten it completely wrong...

Forget it. Pokémon have minds of their own. If Greninja wants to get stronger, I'll support him.

Anyway, as long as the rest of my Pokémon aren't all like this, I won't become a Trainer.

It's not like every Pokémon I have could be that strong, right?

No way I'd believe that!

"Did something happen out here just now?"

Cynthia stepped out of the hollow tree. She had dried her clothes and changed back into them.

She saw Xu Mu, the injured Greninja, and the mess outside the tree.

"What happened?" Cynthia asked, puzzled.

Xu Mu had no idea how to explain. Should I tell her Entei showed up, fought me, then ran off after winning?

Would she believe that?

I wouldn't!

"Ahem, it was nothing. Are you all ready?"

Xu Mu changed the subject, rubbing his nose awkwardly.

Does lying really make your nose grow...?

"Yes, I've changed. Thank you, Xu Mu."

Cynthia extended her hand and thanked him with effortless grace.

Xu Mu hurriedly offered his greedy paw and took her delicate hand in his.

The moment their hands touched, only one thought remained in his mind: Ah, it's so soft!

His heart melted!

He gently caressed Cynthia's hand, savoring its silky softness.

A long while later...

"Xu Mu, could you let go now?"

Cynthia's face had turned bright red.

Does a handshake need to last ten minutes?

You've made my hand sweat!

Xu Mu finally came to his senses. He cleared his throat and withdrew his paw.

Then he silently cursed himself for being too forward. Worried that he'd frightened Cynthia, he blurted out an explanation:

"Where I'm from, the longer you shake someone's hand, the more respect it shows. Yeah, that's it."

"It's a custom, like your Western European cheek kisses."

Cynthia's eyes widened as though she'd discovered a whole new world. She looked up in sudden understanding.

"So that's how it is!"

"Customs really are different all around the world!"

Seeing that Cynthia had actually believed him, Xu Mu froze.

Oh my God, Cynthia is so adorably gullible!

I want to take her home! What do I do? What do I do?